the Khan, whom the deceased Amyr had set up, and promised to support him in his (nominal) dignity, provided he would employ Abdullah as his Vizier: the whole party then proceeded towards Samerkund, but on their arrival there, they put the innocent and harmless Khān to death.

As the Vizier Abdullah was a miser, who took from every one, and gave to nobody, and who had thrown the eyes of cupidity on the wealth of the two murdered personages, (the Amyr and the Khan) the conspirators elevated Timūr Shāh Aghlan, son of Munsur Timur, to the Khānship, they then attacked the party of Abdullah, and fought three battles with them; but Abdullah having swam his horse across the Jihun, took refuge in the country of Khutelan and Anderab, where he died.*

CHAPTER VI.

In the year 760, having attained my twenty-fourth year, being much A.D. 1359. disgusted with the infamous conduct of Kutlug Timūr and Sultān Kūly, and being without any other remedy, I mounted my horse and proceeded to the (Oulus) tribe of Byan Selduz, and implored him to join me in taking revenge on the murderers of the late Amyr and Khan; he agreed to unite with me, and we put on the swords of revenge. Although the fortress of Shadman belonged to me, yet I divided with Byan Selduz, in a brotherly manner, and gave him possession of it, in order to secure his co-operation, and to prove to mankind that the murderers of Kings should always suffer retaliation.

I also prevailed on Hajy Berlās, a descendant of Kerachar Nuyan, to join us in revenging the death of the Amyr and the Khān; I therefore drew my troops out of Samerkund, and proceeded towards Kesh; when arrived in its vicinity, I sent to Hajy Berlās, who came and joined me; we then agreed to proceed to Samerkund, and to depose Timur Khān from the Khānship.

In compliance with this determination, we marched with all our forces to Samerkund, and dethroned Timur Khān, and took possession of the whole kingdom of Maveralnaher, and we three persons divided it between us; I got possession of Kesh, with its dependencies, and fixed my residence there.

Thus we three persons ruled the country of Maveralnaher like three brothers, and whenever any noble, soldier, or citizen proved disobedient, we united in punishing him: we agreed very well together, and divided the revenues in a

* These countries are situated between the 36th and 38th degrees of northern latitude, and between the 68th and 70th eastern longitude.

brotherly manner, till at length Byan Selduz, from excess of drinking, suddenly bade adieu to this world.

I then said to Hajy Berlās," shall we divide the portion of Șelduz between us, or shall we give it to his son, so that his troops may remain faithful, and things may go on as usual;" but he would not listen to this, and seized on some part of the share of Selduz, in consequence of which violent disputes took place between the followers of Selduz and him.

When this intelligence reached the ears of the surrounding chiefs, each of them exalted the standard of Sovereignty, but I continued to govern my own country quietly and with regularity.

About this time, several disturbances broke out in Maveralnaher, on which occasion both the Nobles and Plebeians of Turan came to me and explained their situation, saying, there is now no King in this country (and the petty Tyrants harass us), we are resolved to abandon the country, till some person is placed on the throne of power (who can protect us). On hearing this, my ambition was rouzed, and I wished to take possession of the whole kingdom, and become absolute Sovereign of it, but I found that I could place no reliance on the support of the people. I therefore thought it better for the present to keep on terms with the different chiefs who had independence, and endeavour to throw the ball of discord among them, so that, by degrees, I might bring each of them under my subjection; but to effect this, I saw that, patience, perseverance, and (divine) aid were requisite.

During this same year, which was A. H. 760, I began to take measures for extirpating these petty princes of Maveralnaher (Mulouk al Tuäef), and I wrote to each of them a separate letter, requesting them to join me, and that we should divide the country in a brotherly manner between us two. They all gave a favourable answer to my letters, but none of them were aware of my correspondence with the others.

to me.

Having thus excited the ambition and cupidity of each of them, and having agreed that whatever country should be subdued, was to be equally divided between the parties, they individually bound themselves with the girdle of fealty This was in fact a very important affair, for Elchy Bugha Selduz had raised the Standard of Royalty in Balkh ; Amyr Bäyezyd Jelayr had taken possession of Khujend; Khuajeh Ayzdy had established himself in Shumerghānat. The Kings of Badukhshan were contending with each other in the mountains of that province. Hy Khusero and Altaja Berdy had seized upon Khutelan and Arheng, and Khizer Yusury was in possession of all the country from the bridge of Tashkund to the vicinity of Samerkund. Now, to take the kingdom from such chiefs,

each of whom vied in splendour with the other, was indeed a difficult undertaking, but I resolved to do it by setting them at loggerheads.

I therefore wrote to Elchy Bugha, that the inhabitants of Badukhshan had complained to me of their rulers, and had requested me to proceed thither to relieve them, that I had determined to do so, and, if he would join me, that country should be annexed to his dominion: otherwise, as it was my duty to administer justice to the oppressed, I should do every thing in my power to assist them. When he received my letter, he immediately drew out his army to attack the Kings of Badukhshān, and they forthwith sought refuge with me, and offered, if I would deliver them from their peril, they would make over the whole country to me, and become my subjects.

I also wrote to Hajy Ayzdy, the Ruler of Shemerghan, that the province of Balkh being now unoccupied, I had sent an army to take possession of it; but that if he had any ambition to partake of the conquest, he might become my partner in this business; this rouzed him, and he immediately invaded Balkh. When this intelligence reached the ears of Selduz, he returned from Badukhshan, and came to Hissar Shadman and Balkh.

And the Kings of Badukhshan bound the girdle of fealty around their loins, and promised that whenever, or wherever, I should summon them, they would attend me with all their followers.

When Selduz entered the province of Balkh, Hajy Ayzdy of Shemerghan drew out his army and engaged him; but, being defeated, sought refuge with me; having thus made him one of my dependants, I drove out Selduz, and restored Shemerghan to him.

This same year, Amyr Hussyn, the grandson of Amyr Kürgen, who sought the inheritance of his grandfather, marched from Cabul, with all his tribe and followers, and came towards Maveralnaher; he also wrote me a letter requesting my assistance; as his sister was one of my wives, the sinews of my affection were put in motion.* I therefore encouraged him to advance towards Maveralnaher. This in fact was the greatest error I committed during my whole reign, for I thus admitted into my friendship a person of vile disposition, proud, and miserly, but I being then ignorant of his character, advised him to invade Badukhshan, which he did, and made himself master of that country.

In this year, 760, a son was born to me; as he was my first, I named him Muhammed, after the Prophet, upon whom, and upon his descendants, be the Grace of God; and, as it occurred at a period when I was very successful, I considered it an auspicious omen, and added Jehangyre, (Conqueror of the World). I

* See Note, page 42.

also gave a grand feast, to which all the principal inhabitants of Maveralnaher came, except two of the Nobility; the first was Amyr Bayezyd Jelayr, the other, Amyr Hajy Berlās.'

I however did not shew any displeasure, but acted kindly to all their dependants and followers, which induced them to take my part; in consequence of which the tribe of Berlās, which was under the command of Amyr Hajy, but who were disgusted with his conduct, repaired to me; also his wife's father, ambitious of getting the command of the tribe for his grandson, by which he himself would get the power into his own hands, attempted to assassinate him: but the Amyr having discovered the plot, sent the scoundrel to hell; he then came to consult me whether he should destroy the family; I told him, that to take revenge upon children would be highly improper, and only cause poverty and distress.

In this same year, A. H. 760, Amyr Hussyn got possession of the whole kingdom of Badukhshan, and took prisoners three of the Princes of the country, heirs of the former kings, whom his minister, Mahmud Yusury, very unjustly put to death, but the revenge of their blood seized hold on the skirts of Amyr Hussyn; and their heirs obtained legal retaliation on him, as will be hereafter mentioned.

CHAPTER VII.

When I reached my twenty-fifth year, Tugleck Timur Khan, the descendant of Jengyz Khan, who was absolute Sovereign of the Desht Jitteh, advanced towards Maveralnaher with the intention of subduing it, and encamped on the banks of the Khujend river, from whence he sent me an Imperial edict to summon all the chiefs to his presence.*

Hajy Berlās being much frightened, consulted me what we should do in regard to opposing Tugleck Timur. I said, "it is advisable that we should wait on him in person, but let us send our tribes and hordes to the south side of the Jihun, towards Khurasan, that after he has entered Maveralnaher we shall see whether he intends to remain; if he stops there, he will then lay the province waste; but if he does not intend keeping possession, we will attend his court." After much argument it was at length agreed that I should wait on Tugleck Timur with my own people, and, by my ingenuity, endeavour to preserve the country from being plundered, because" policy is often superior to the sword." It was also determined that Hajy Berlas should proceed towards Khurasan with the Tribes and

* See page 15, printed copy of the Institutes.

Clans, whilst I remained behind to protect, if possible, the country; but, if not, to follow him.

In consequence of this determination, I gave the blessing to Hajy Berlās, and sent him off with all the tribes and hordes, but escorted them two or three day's journey; after which I returned alone, and took up my residence at Kesh. Amyr Bayezy having explained the order to his Tribe, marched with them to meet Tugleck Timur.

At this time my Father Teragay was taken very ill and, in order to attend on him, I was obliged to postpone my visit to Tugleck Timur; but when the decreed hour had arrived, my honoured parent resigned his life, and bade adieu to the world. I buried him in an honourable manner in the vicinity of Kesh, the burying ground of the Holy men (Aulia). After this event all the principal inhabitants of Maveralnaher waited on me, and by agreement said, "We are twelve thousand Cavaliers, we wish you to accept the Sovereignty: and if you permit, we will read the Khutbēh in your name, for it is written in the Rules of Government,' that whoever has twelve thousand Cavaliers true and faithful to him, should he not raise the Standard of Royalty, ought to be reckoned inglorious." As I knew that this proposal of theirs proceeded entirely from fear, (of Tugleck) and that no dependence is to be placed on stipendiaries or needy followers, till tried by experience, I merely contented myself by assuring them there was no danger, and consequently no necessity for this imprudent measure.

At this time I received a second summons from Tugleck Timur, I therefore explained to the chiefs and principal persons of Maveralnaher, that the coming of Tugleck Timur was an unexpected calamity, and it would be better, as the Jetes are noted for avarice, to satiate them by presents, and induce them to refrain from murder and rapine.*

Soon after this, the first division of the Jetes, commanded by Mahmud Yusury, entered Maveralnaher in great force, with the intention of plundering and laying waste the country, and encamped at Heraz, I therefore assembled my own people, and taking with me the principal personages, and a number of curiosities and valuable presents, I proceeded towards the Jete army.

When I arrived at Heraz, I met the general Mahmud Yusury, and we embraced on horseback; we then proceeded to his tent, where he entertained me; after dinner I presented him a number of valuable articles, and requested that

* These Jetes are not to be confounded with the ancient Gete, they were unconverted Türks, and at this time inhabited the country of Jetteh or Deshti Jitteh; Timur afterwards calls them his countrymen, in fact they were the followers of the descendants of Jengyz Khan. See also printed copy of the Institutes, page 25.